London


Ganpatrao Mhatre gouache

Indian sculptor’s earliest known work on paper turns heads at Chiswick Auctions

09 May 2025

The earliest known painted work by the Indian sculptor Ganpatrao Mhatre (1879-1947) drew international interest at a recent sale at Chiswick Auctions (26% buyer’s premium).

Canaletto Venice Ascension Day

Canaletto once owned by Robert Walpole headlines Christie’s Old Master sale

08 May 2025

One of Canaletto’s ‘prime-period’ views of Venice which once hung in 10 Downing Street has emerged at Christie’s.

Suffragettes

Autographs of early 20th century political and cultural figures emerge at Chiswick Auctions

07 May 2025

An autograph album containing the signatures of notable figures from the early 20th century is to appear at Chiswick Auctions in a timed sale ending May 18.

The Virgin and Child altarpiece

National Gallery buys ‘mystery’ altarpiece in £16.4m deal brokered by Sotheby’s

06 May 2025

The National Gallery in London has acquired two Old Masters, one of which is a remarkable 16th-century altarpiece bought for £16.4m in a private treaty sale brokered by Sotheby’s.

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Brave RAF Lancaster bomber pilot flew nine times in the 'Battle of Berlin'

05 May 2025

Noonans’ Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria sale on April 9 included a rare group of medals awarded to Lancaster Bomber pilot, Warrant Officer, later Flight Lieutenant, Edward Sydney Ellis of 625 Squadron of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

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Shipshape teapot: Wedgwood commemorative surfaces in the saleroom

05 May 2025

This Wedgwood creamware tea or punch pot commemorating the launch of a gun ship at Deptford in 1784 was among 29 lots from the collection of The Worshipful Company of Shipwrights sold by specialist Charles Miller.

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Print shows British delight at American woes

05 May 2025

The etching 'A View in America in 1778' is a satire on the progress of the American Revolution.

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Cricketer Ranji rare gold Great War medal hits five figures

05 May 2025

The British War Medal 1914-20 is not exactly uncommon. Issued in the First World War, about 6.5 million were struck in silver and 110,000 in bronze.

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Take a couch journey to Battersea

05 May 2025

Piece of furniture mentioned in reference books is just of the potential purchases at Dec Fair

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Superb naval medals on crest of a wave

05 May 2025

Both parts of the excellent Jason Pilalas collection delivered suitably impressive results for London auction house Noonans

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Printed catalogues retain their charm for book buyers

05 May 2025

It’s probably no surprise that, even in the days of digital first, printed catalogues are still loved by rare book collectors.

Hilary Mantel's desk

Dealer offers Hilary Mantel’s desk used to write Wolf Hall trilogy

28 April 2025

Among the attractions at this year’s ‘Firsts: London’s Rare Book Fair’ on May 15-18 is the desk upon which Hilary Mantel wrote her celebrated ‘Wolf Hall’ trilogy.

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Arms and armour specialist David Williams joins Olympia Auctions

28 April 2025

Veteran antique arms and armour specialist David Williams is joining the Olympia Auctions team as senior consultant.

Shakespeare’s Four Folios

Sotheby’s to offer copies of all four Shakespeare Folios as a single lot

28 April 2025

Sotheby's is staging a single-lot auction next month, offering copies of all four Shakespeare Folios.

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Dealer interviews: Mid-century market musing

28 April 2025

From elegant furniture by Scandinavian designers to stand-out lamps and decorative pieces… the lines, materials and simplicity that characterise interiors items from the mid-century modern period appeal to a wide range of buyers.

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First of 2025’s Britannia Medal Fairs coming up

28 April 2025

As this year commemorates VE and VJ days, there are likely to be even more collectors and dealers than usual converging on the first of 2025’s biannual Britannia Medal Fairs on Sunday, May 11.

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Seating stands out in south London

28 April 2025

Chairs were in particular demand at the Dulwich biannual Mid-century event

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Antarctic artefacts in demand at two recent auctions

28 April 2025

A letter from Robert Falcon Scott – aka Scott of the Antarctic – came up for sale at Canterbury Auction Galleries (20% buyer’s premium) on April 11-14.

Ernest Shackleton postcard

Shackleton postcard to fiancée more than quadruples estimate

25 April 2025

A postcard from Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) in Cape Town to his then fiancée Emily Dorman in London appeared at a recent sale at Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s.

John Frederick Lewis watercolour

‘Jewel-like’ Harem scene by John Frederick Lewis adds allure to Bonhams sale

25 April 2025

A market-fresh Orientalist scene by John Frederick Lewis (1804-76), unseen in public for a generation, led the latest sale of 19th Century and British Impressionist Art at Bonhams.

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